Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-11-12

liyhtlv iu the Court before Judge Gary and
fippantly declared that he was ready to be
tried ut once for his life. The moment
his feet touched the scaitold Parsons SEEM
ed To completely lose his identity, and felt
that his spirit was no longer part of his
body. lie wrought himself TO an ecstacy
Of solemn self glorilication. He, the
only American, seemed 10 real
ize to the full that he must
die in manner to impress, if possible, on
all future generations the thought that he
was a martyr. No trsgedian that has ever
posed for stage ever made
more marvellous presentation OF
a self chosen part perfect
in every detail. The upWa ard turn of his
ewes, his distant far away look, and above
all, the attitude of apparent and complete
resignation that every fold OF the awkward
shrOwd allowed, marked his determination
to 20 through an Impressive death scene.
ON THE SCAFvOLD.
Standing on the trap, Spies hair seemed
to literally stand on end. Engel's shoul
ders seemed to nearly touch the top OF his
head. Parsons set his teeth firmly to-
gether and looked down calmly upon the
crowd beneath His face was that OF
man of iron. A murmUr OF admiration for
his uuninching nerve ran through the
spectators. EOgel turned around snd said
something iuaudible TO the deputy. 1t
was evidently of a jOcular character, for
the condemned man laughed heartily.
Fischer looked at him q moment and then
he, too, put in remark. Spies aud Par
sons. at either end of the scatfOld, main
tanned a stolid and dignifed demeanor, but
there was a look of unUtterable woe upon
the lace of the latter, which pierced the
hearts of those surrounding the scaifOld.
The shrouds had already been adjusted be-
fore the men left their cells Nothing re-
nlaineG hut to encircle each neck with the
moose and TO cover each head with the cap.
Jailsr Folz approached Spies. A quick
movement, so quick that II could hardly
be noticed, aGd the rope was around his
recl. and drawn taut There was not q move
ment Of muscle. Ths same stclid look,
THE SAME woE-BEGoSE LOOK
from the eyes. Fo'z moved a step, and in
a momen; the throat Of Fischer was encir-
clc,I bv the moose. He moved hls head up
and down as il it hurt him. Eugel did not
move as the operation was being performed.
Parse = riveted his gaze on the ground and
his fea Ures were contracted.
A deputy then approached Spies with a
cap in his hand. The condemned man
said something ia an uudertone. He was
evidently demonstrating with the deputy,
L. 4 "a
still more earnestly aud the deputy looked
at the Sheriff The latter closed his eyes.
1t was enough. The cap was quickly
drawn oYer the face of the Anarchist
leader. 1t had been seen for the Lost time
in life.
The head of Eugel was next covered, then
Fischer, Parsons last. Fischer's head moved
UP and down in the direction ofthe Sheriff
who, with his hands upon the iron railing
of the gallery, was ready
To GIVE THE SIGNAL.
1t seemed rs though the Anarchist, as we'll
a. he could in his muslin-c covered head, was
the Sheriff 10 approach him.
That official, however, did not respond.
There was moment Of death-like still
ness; then. clear and distinct, came the
voice of Spies; his form Strengthened up,
The muslin seemed to move in harmony
with his lips: "Our silence is more power
full than speech" That was all. but there
was a ring in it that echoed far
away down the corridor. Silence
reigned again for a second. Then, in
round, full voice, q shout, "Hurrah for
Anarchy" came from Engle. Another
pause, broken this time by the voice of
Fischer: ''This is the happiest moment of
my life" Then the clear, well-modulated
voice Of Parsons broke the oppressive still
ress, but there was not that enthusiastic
ring in it which marked the utterances of
the Others. A scarcely defnable pause be-
tween each word, "Shall ! be allowed to